Anxiety: Why Anxiety Can Make You Feel Like an Impostor
By Tristan Abba – Counselling Psychologist, Perth
I’ve recently been in the process of applying for jobs — something I haven’t done in close to four years, and before that, not for over a decade. What struck me this time around was how different the experience felt. There was far less of that familiar undercurrent of imposter syndrome — that inner voice that whispers “You’re not good enough,” no matter how qualified or prepared you actually are.
It made me pause and reflect. For most of my life, imposter syndrome has been a constant companion in the darker corners — a kind of anxious echo that’s held me back, made me overcompensate or “mask,” and created a gnawing sense of unease in moments where I most needed clarity. And yet now, while I still experience self-doubt at times (I’m a reflective practitioner, after all), I feel more grounded and confident in my professional identity.
It made me wonder: What if we’ve got it backwards? What if imposter syndrome isn’t just causing anxiety… but anxiety is actually fuelling imposter syndrome?
Understanding the Link Between Anxiety and Imposter Syndrome
At its core, imposter syndrome is the belief that your achievements are undeserved — that you’re a fraud and it’s only a matter of time before others find out. These thoughts can be especially loud when you’re stepping into something new or challenging — like a job interview, a date, a presentation, or returning to study.
But what underpins that experience for many people is anxiety. When we’re anxious, our brain becomes hypervigilant — scanning for danger, looking for signs that something might go wrong. Anxiety magnifies perceived risks and minimises our internal resources. In this space, we often question ourselves more harshly and seek certainty where there is none.
That’s the trap: the more anxious we are, the more likely we are to doubt ourselves. Our brain becomes wired for threat detection, not realistic self-assessment. So, when anxiety shows up before a job interview or during a performance review, it’s no surprise that imposter syndrome often follows close behind.
Why Anxiety Feeds the Imposter Narrative
Anxiety has a few tricks up its sleeve that make it particularly good at fuelling imposter syndrome:
Perfectionism: Anxiety often drives an internal belief that “anything less than perfect isn’t good enough.” This creates unrealistic standards that no one can consistently meet, reinforcing the sense that you’re falling short — even when you’re doing well.
Black-and-white thinking: You might find yourself thinking, “If I don’t nail this, I’ve failed,” or “They haven’t emailed back — I must’ve messed it up.” This all-or-nothing mindset leaves no room for nuance or context and heightens self-doubt.
Mental filtering: You might overlook positive feedback or progress and zero in on that one awkward moment or typo — reinforcing the idea that you’re not good enough.
Avoidance: Anxiety can lead us to avoid situations where imposter syndrome might be triggered. But avoidance reinforces fear — and keeps you stuck in the belief that you’re not capable.
So What Helps?
Let’s be clear — you don’t have to “banish” imposter syndrome to live a full, meaningful life. But therapy can help you understand the relationship between your anxiety and self-doubt, and loosen the grip of the story that you’re not enough.
Some things that can support this work:
Naming the pattern: Sometimes just recognising, “Ah, this is that imposter feeling again — fuelled by anxiety,” can create distance and reduce its intensity.
Challenging unhelpful thinking: Therapy can help you identify those perfectionistic or black-and-white thoughts and work with them compassionately.
Building emotional tolerance: Learning to sit with discomfort — rather than avoid it — helps reduce anxiety in the long term and creates more space for self-trust.
Practising self-compassion: This doesn’t mean letting yourself off the hook. It means treating yourself with the same kindness and encouragement you’d offer a friend in your situation.
If imposter syndrome is something that regularly holds you back — particularly if anxiety is playing a big role — therapy can help. In our sessions, we won’t just look at surface strategies, but work together to better understand the deeper patterns driving your experience, and how to create a more spacious, grounded version of your life.
You don’t have to keep living at the mercy of the inner critic. There is another way.